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System Notification
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I had a guess as to what it was, but I checked it anyway.
======Combat Arts ==========
Basic Dagger Arts (★) - Novice.
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As expected from a 1-star Manual just learning the basic slash movements was enough for an advancement. After taking a break I realized that a lot of sweat had accumulated on my body and now that the adrenaline had worn off, I felt intense pain in my right arm. I had no way to tell how much time had passed but I assumed it was no short amount as I sat down on the bench placed next to the pond.
It took far too long to simply figure out the appropriate amount of force to put into each swing and I had barely begun to put them together and I already felt the fatigue catching up with me, both physically and mentally. Looking up at the full moon illuminating the sky I felt a sense of nostalgia, remembering how I used to get off work absurdly late and exhausted and stare at the moon just like this. Perhaps I was crazy to be nostalgic about that but there wasn't much else to remember fondly.
The lights emitting from the windows of the concrete apartments had all been switched off and I pondered going back and resting myself.
'No.'
I didn't have the time, I needed to get stronger, and I got back up wielding the dagger once again as I began to slash at the air relentlessly, this time I practiced doing multiple in quick succession and also including stabs to finish off the combo.
The arcs of blue light began to form rapidly and intersect, some varied wildly in trajectory being horizontal, vertical, diagonal or overhead they all had one common point of intersection, and all were limited in range but after a few slashes I would thrust the knife with all my might at the point of intersection as I began to breathe heavily.
'Again.'
Too slow, I had to try again, a stab was far more lethal than a slash, but I needed to be quicker with them otherwise I was just an easy target. Blue arcs filled the air again before dissipating.
'Again.'
I kept practicing a combination of slashes and stabs and at one point began incorporating dynamic footwork along with them, I did so until on one swing instead of my grip remaining firm around the hilt of the dagger, loosened and the dagger fell to the floor with a soft thud.
'Blood.'
Looking at my palm, the hilt had dug into it as my palm had several cuts and bruises as blood began to trickle down to the grass floor. Walking over to the pond I knelt down and placed my right hand into it, as a red trail began to form. I looked at my own reflection, a face that was not mine but was at the same time, a fact that I didn't think I would get used to anytime soon.
'How stupid.' I shook my head to get rid of these unnecessary thoughts and got back up, I didn't believe I was capable of training anymore and sheathed my knife as I began to head back to my apartment.
Entering the building I saw that the receptionist had fallen asleep on the chair as his snores filled the entire room, I didn't know if this was normal though and just left him as he was.
Going inside my apartment and looking at the time I realized it was already 1:00 AM, meaning I had trained for about 6 hours. It took me that much time to grasp the basics of a one-star manual and imagining how slow the process would be on the 3 star one or the ones I would get later made me a bit afraid and also somewhat thankful I chose to practice with the easier one first.
Untying my hair and washing the cloth before using it to cover up the bruises on my palm, I collapsed on my bed, hoping that tomorrow wouldn't be as disastrous as I was imagining it to be but not even anxiety could keep at bay the exhaustion and soon, I lost consciousness.
............
*THUD* *THUD* THUD*
"Wake up brat, or you miss breakfast."
I was awoken by loud noises at the door and a raspy voice yelling at me through the door. The thuds grew dimmer but continued, I assume the receptionist wakes up everyone in the building for breakfast.
I sighed as I looked at the time, I had overslept as it was already 8 AM but that's what I get for overexerting myself. Surprisingly enough, my muscles weren't stiff or sore even though I had trained them till failure yesterday. An added benefit of having mana coursing through your body I suppose.
Finishing my morning routine and wearing the gifted clothes, I replaced the cloth bandaging my palm and headed downstairs. The empty reception area of the building was now filled with folding tables, temporary chairs and a stall for people to receive their food.
This was my first time seeing any of the other residents present in this building, the room was pretty crowded but there was little to no noise as everyone ate in silence. Most people had tired eyes and ate their food listlessly with faces devoid of joy. Some still had a hopeful sparkle in their eyes but that too would be gone when eventually Corrupt Beasts turned their home into an unlivable wasteland.
People dressed in the Robes of Preservation were handing out trays of food at the stall but as I was standing there to pick up a tray, someone from behind the counter attempted to reach for my right hand. I stepped backwards moving my hand out of range by instinct.
"Ah ... sorry."
Looking at the person who was apologizing to me, I was a bit taken aback. She was quite short in stature and had long silver hair with silver innocent eyes that were looking back at me apologetically. Judging by the description of her in the novel, this was yet another member of the main party.
'Clair Alister'
I never believed in fate or anything like that, but it honestly felt as if this new world was playing tricks on me.